Part 2-Save The Iconic Beach Cinema Alehouse
The Issue
We won the day at the planning commission hearing on April 9th!
Part 2- The City Council Meeting
THE SHORT VERSION
On May 20th, 2025, at 6p.m City Council will vote on whether or not to grant a conditional use permit to Ascent Church LLC. If the permit is granted, Beach Cinema Alehouse's last day in business will be August 31st. If the permit is denied, as we all are fighting for, Beach Cinema Alehouse will remain open. It is not true that the theater will close either way, it is this permit that decides the fate of the cinema. Hopefully, taking into account the recommendation of the Planning Committee to deny the permit, the signatures on this petition, the previous part 1 petition, and concerns brought forward to them from the community their ruling will directly impact, the city council will vote to deny this permit. I urge you all to write an email to city council members to oppose the permit. Also, to come to the meeting, speak in person or via webex, and continue sign this petition.
HOW TO SHOW UP & SPEAK UP FOR B.C.A & VA BEACH
Any time prior to the meeting letters can be sent via email to wremick@vbgov.com and to any of the other council members. Robert Remick is the representative for District 6, in which the Beach Cinema is located. If you wish to speak via webex you must register no later than 5pm on the day of the hearing by calling the city clerk's office at 757-385-4303. You may sign up to speak in person by calling the clerk's office or sign up in person at city hall just prior to the 6p.m meeting.
THE LONGER VERSION
The Beach Cinema Alehouse is more than just a theater. It is an economic driver for the city, providing employment and valuable tax revenue. It is a place for our neighbors, friends, and families to gather, hold events, parties, and film premiers. A place for local artists to display artwork, and for benevolent organizations meet. The patrons and supporters are members of the city's workforce, retirees, singles, families, friends, residents, and tourists. The appeal is wide, and all are welcome.
As residents of Virginia Beach, those of us working at the Beach Cinema Alehouse, one of the city's most cherished establishments, every day engage with hundreds of patrons - locals and visitors, young and old, united in their love for our cinema. Their reactions to the news of this permit possibly being granted and a church moving into the property a theater has occupied for decades, have been overwhelmingly in opposition. It is their voices I carry forward with this petition.
Granting the permit to the church would have the following negative consequences.
- The forced closure of the oceanfront's only movie theater, which is a welcoming and inclusive business, a community hub that offers entertainment, dining, and a gathering space that can be is enjoyed by all.
- The immediate loss of employment for more than 40 individuals and families.
- The disruption of traffic.
- The church moving to this particular property would deny enjoyment of the theater to the nearly 4,000 people who have signed this petition, those people include tourists, neighbors, and residents from all over Hampton Roads.
- The church occupying this space would be at odds with the wishes of the members of the very community into which it hopes to integrate.
- Granting this permit would allow tax exempt entity to occupy a valuable and prominent piece of real estate. We must not overlook that economic impact.
The benefits of the Beach Cinema Alehouse extend beyond its economic impact, though. It is a beloved community asset that reflects our shared values and welcomes all. For these and many other reasons, we encourage you to sign this petition, to honor our history, to protect jobs, tax revenue, and to uphold the zoning prerequisites of the property.
Let us unite and urge the City Council to vote with the recommendation of the planning committee, to prioritize the wishes and wellbeing of the community it serves, to consider the cultural and financial implications for the city and DENY the permit.
Help save the Beach Cinema Alehouse! Sign and share this petition.
993
The Issue
We won the day at the planning commission hearing on April 9th!
Part 2- The City Council Meeting
THE SHORT VERSION
On May 20th, 2025, at 6p.m City Council will vote on whether or not to grant a conditional use permit to Ascent Church LLC. If the permit is granted, Beach Cinema Alehouse's last day in business will be August 31st. If the permit is denied, as we all are fighting for, Beach Cinema Alehouse will remain open. It is not true that the theater will close either way, it is this permit that decides the fate of the cinema. Hopefully, taking into account the recommendation of the Planning Committee to deny the permit, the signatures on this petition, the previous part 1 petition, and concerns brought forward to them from the community their ruling will directly impact, the city council will vote to deny this permit. I urge you all to write an email to city council members to oppose the permit. Also, to come to the meeting, speak in person or via webex, and continue sign this petition.
HOW TO SHOW UP & SPEAK UP FOR B.C.A & VA BEACH
Any time prior to the meeting letters can be sent via email to wremick@vbgov.com and to any of the other council members. Robert Remick is the representative for District 6, in which the Beach Cinema is located. If you wish to speak via webex you must register no later than 5pm on the day of the hearing by calling the city clerk's office at 757-385-4303. You may sign up to speak in person by calling the clerk's office or sign up in person at city hall just prior to the 6p.m meeting.
THE LONGER VERSION
The Beach Cinema Alehouse is more than just a theater. It is an economic driver for the city, providing employment and valuable tax revenue. It is a place for our neighbors, friends, and families to gather, hold events, parties, and film premiers. A place for local artists to display artwork, and for benevolent organizations meet. The patrons and supporters are members of the city's workforce, retirees, singles, families, friends, residents, and tourists. The appeal is wide, and all are welcome.
As residents of Virginia Beach, those of us working at the Beach Cinema Alehouse, one of the city's most cherished establishments, every day engage with hundreds of patrons - locals and visitors, young and old, united in their love for our cinema. Their reactions to the news of this permit possibly being granted and a church moving into the property a theater has occupied for decades, have been overwhelmingly in opposition. It is their voices I carry forward with this petition.
Granting the permit to the church would have the following negative consequences.
- The forced closure of the oceanfront's only movie theater, which is a welcoming and inclusive business, a community hub that offers entertainment, dining, and a gathering space that can be is enjoyed by all.
- The immediate loss of employment for more than 40 individuals and families.
- The disruption of traffic.
- The church moving to this particular property would deny enjoyment of the theater to the nearly 4,000 people who have signed this petition, those people include tourists, neighbors, and residents from all over Hampton Roads.
- The church occupying this space would be at odds with the wishes of the members of the very community into which it hopes to integrate.
- Granting this permit would allow tax exempt entity to occupy a valuable and prominent piece of real estate. We must not overlook that economic impact.
The benefits of the Beach Cinema Alehouse extend beyond its economic impact, though. It is a beloved community asset that reflects our shared values and welcomes all. For these and many other reasons, we encourage you to sign this petition, to honor our history, to protect jobs, tax revenue, and to uphold the zoning prerequisites of the property.
Let us unite and urge the City Council to vote with the recommendation of the planning committee, to prioritize the wishes and wellbeing of the community it serves, to consider the cultural and financial implications for the city and DENY the permit.
Help save the Beach Cinema Alehouse! Sign and share this petition.
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on April 15, 2025